Do You Feel Angry With Your Therapist?

[cat]

Hi All

I've been working with a psychologist for six months now, its been really difficult to learn to trust her especially with my deepest thoughts about myself but after my first emdr session I felt that if she could get me through that I had no reason not to trust her. We have been using a mixture of talking & emdr therapy & although I've found it very hard to deal with the after effects of emdr, I know am in control of the session & can stop it when it gets to much to take.

However, two weeks ago we did an exposure therapy session and she kept me going to the end of my trauma, although I know her reasons for doing this I realised after my appointment with her this week ( I couldn't open up to her as much as I usually do) that I felt angry with her for putting me through that. This feels completely wrong as I know she is only trying to get to the link that is keeping my ptsd in place.

Has anyone else experienced being angry with with their therapist? I'm not sure how to handle it other than talking to her about it at my next appointment, I'm trying to be positive about my therapy & don't want her to think I'm just complaining about her therapy methods.

 

[Manic11]

Check out the thread "Therapists I Could Live Without"
Cheers

Manic

 

[2quilt]

tell your therapist that you are angry and why; its best to clear the air and be open with your feelings.

 

[Deleted member 541]

Have you asked yourself the reason for your anger with her???? Is it because she pushed you and you felt bad? Is it because she pushed you???? Is it because she pushed you into places that you rather not have gone???

Sometimes our therapist HAVE to push us, otherwise we just sit there avoiding the one thing that we went there for. I believe that a good therapist knows when & how to push us, and if we are ready for it. I think in your case, she probably knew that you were ready for a little push and that you could handle it......

 

[Claire]

I am very often angry with my therapist. I get angry that things take so long, I'm angry that he pushes me, come to think of it, he cant win! I do always tell him if I'm angry with him usually at the start of the session. It doesn't help to keep stuff back. The main thing is to trust that they are doing what they can to help you. By telling her, the resulting discussion might show why and maybe she did push too hard. It will help both of you if you say.

 

[sigh]

I believe that a relationship is a lot about love and hate. I have to talk to my therapist a lot about rules, re-setting rules, what I can't or don't want to talk about. Some things I keep hidden for a very long time--like problems I have with my boyfriend--because my therapist has made it clear that he doesn't like him. But I do. I got sick of him talking about his stupid dog peeing on the floor cause the mutts so excited. I'm sick of hearing about golf on Fridays--and the only way to resolve the situation was to tell him so. He told me why he told me these things (obscure to me!) and tried to explain his way out of the situation. We work through things together. I have to speak up or I will not be satisfied.

 

[Selena]

Keep in mind, the following is just my experience, so make of it what you will :):

I've definitely experienced this. The therapy relationship is complex in part because we bring with us such 'interesting' ideas and expectations about what it means to trust someone. Add to that the expectation that we are supposed share our deepest fears and nightmares with this 'stranger'. It can get pretty hairy, but that's OK.

I've learned that is safe to get angry with T. Therapy has been the first time in my life that I've been able to be angry and be safe at the same time! I hope you will find, like I have, that you can learn a lot about relationships and communication at these times.

The hardest but most fruitful approach to my therapy has been to stay as honest as possible about my experience in the room. (I admit that sometimes it can be impossible to do this. Too scary.)

Don't let your very real feelings of anger get stuffed under your efforts to stay positive. I grew up having to 'stay positive' in the face of harsh treatment. If it was like that for you, now is your chance to try something different. Even if your feelings don't make sense, try to share them. It can be extremely difficult and scary at times, but it's a real opportunity for growth and for your therapist to learn what is most helpful for you.

 

[Tessa]

Hi Cat,
I've been angry with my therapist or felt like you never wanted to see them again. I found it is best to talk about it as soon as you can. Sometimes it leads to better understanding by both parties. However I find it difficult to trust people and also they don't know everything. There are good and bad like every profession.
Tessa

 

[nw217]

I have trust issues too with my therapist. Its just hard to talk about the hard stuff...But I guess thats why we are there in the first place. try to talk about it with him/her.

 

[SGT Bilko]

The VA's cheap ### in its infinite wisdom hired a bunch of Indian phycologists on the cheap. So now im looking at somone who looks AMAZINGLY like the reason I have PTSD. Trigger, KABOOOM. Did they put a bunch of viet nam vets into phyc care with asian doctors? WTF? Im fuming mad right now.. i just hope the VA will see me again after i wigged out .

 

[a3a2]

I have been very distrustful of her, and when I have managed to tell her this (and why) it has been helpful. Some things she apologized for, and some things she explained. I am going into that situation today, but I know for a fact that it is nothing she has said or done. It is just where I'm at.

 

[LAURIEJOY]

Yes I'm very angry at mine after today's session. I have PTSD and have recently had ADHD added. I'm still trying to find the right medcombo after years and she keeps saying iI'm showing bipolar symptoms. Instead of focusing on what I do have she keeps trying to make me believe I'm bipolar when I know for a fact I'm not. I have trust issues too and I've only been with this one for 3 months now I feel like a jerk for trusting her. She's new out of school and I'm trying to be nice but she is consistantly trying to push this issue.